How to create backup DC for Exchange 2000 server 2

[sqladmin99]

HI ALL,

I am sorry if this is re-post but I could not search the Forum due to routine maintenance.

I Work with small company. We have 25 computers under one Windows 2000 domain. For email we use Exchange 2000 Server, which is installed on separate machine. We had only one domain controller but last week I added another DC to the domain. Purpose of adding DC is to enable fault tolerance so I installed DNS also on Backup DC. So now we have

1) 25 Windows 2000 Pro client computers.
2) 1 DC with DNS and DHCP on Windows 2000 Advance Server (This is first DC in Domain so it is Global Catalog Server)
3) 1 Exchange 2000 Email Server
4) 1 DC with DNS on Windows 2000 Advance Server (This DC is for Fault Tolerance). This server is not Global Catalog Server.


To test new setup, I shut down first Domain Controller (Global Catalog Server) to see how everything else is working on the network. As soon as I shut down old DC Email stops working. Following are three error messages appeared in application log of Exchange Server.

1) Event Type: Error
Event Source: MSExchangeSA
Event Category: NSPI Proxy
Event ID: 9176
Date: 8/18/2004
Time: 10:42:24 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MAIL
Description:
NSPI Proxy can contact Global Catalog ‘FirstDC.DomainName.com’ but it does not support the NSPI service. After a Domain Controller is promoted to a Global Catalog, the Global Catalog must be rebooted to support MAPI Clients. Reboot ‘FirstDC.DomainName.com’ as soon as possible.

2) Event Type: Error
Event Source: MSExchangeAL
Event Category: Service Control
Event ID: 8260
Date: 8/18/2004
Time: 10:43:30 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MAIL
Description:
Could not open LDAP session to directory ‘FirstDC.DomainName.com’ using local service credentials. Cannot access Address List configuration information. Make sure the server ‘FirstDC.DomainName.com’ is running.

3) Event Type: Error
Event Source: MSExchangeAL
Event Category: Service Control
Event ID: 8250
Date: 8/18/2004
Time: 10:43:47 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MAIL
Description:
The Win32 API call 'DsGetDCNameW' returned error code [0x54b] The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted. The service could not be initialized. Make sure that the operating system was installed properly.


Couldn't find an accessible writable domain controller for domain 'CN=Configuration,DC=DomainName,DC=com'.

I also noticed that when I check properties for user under new active directory (On newly promoted Domain Controller) I don’t see Exchange Features. I have Advance options selected in View menu for AD users and computers.


I am not expert in Exchange so I don’t know what am I doing wrong here.
Please tell me what I need to do in order to have Exchange working in absent of first domain controller.

I would appreciate your help.


Raj

 

[Davetoo]

Did you set your second DC as a GC as well? Exchange has to be able to contact a GC.

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[wdoellefeld]

also noticed that when I check properties for user under new active directory (On newly promoted Domain Controller) I don’t see Exchange Features. I have Advance options selected in View menu for AD users and computers.

You need to install the exchange management tools on the system you use ADUC on to see this.

FRCP

http://www.frcp.net